With a Quetico fire ban currently in effect and very little rain in the forecast, it looks like we will be having our first trip during a fire ban.

What have your experiences been like camping during a fire ban?

(We do most of our cooking over stoves, so not as worried about that.) Our main concern is the relief a fire often adds to deterring pesky mosquitos. Sitting around an empty fire pit with headlights on seems like a good recipe to get eaten alive.

Thanks in advance!

Very little difference. Cook on stove. Summer nights stay light so late that I end up in the tent shortly after the bugs emerge anyway. Fires take on more importance during the shoulder seasons anyway.

arctic: "Very little difference. Cook on stove. Summer nights stay light so late that I end up in the tent shortly after the bugs emerge anyway. Fires take on more importance during the shoulder seasons anyway. "

My experience last week camping (and this week at home) is there is no period of emergence- the bugs are 24/7.

If you cook on a stove, there is nothing different during a ban other than, well, you cannot have a fire.

As Banks said, this year you will have bugs constantly. So, bring head nets and a bug house if you have one.

Agree with the others above. Fire ban in effect? I prefer having a campfire in the evening, but it's not a deal breaker. Nothing can be done about it, so play on.

Btw, QueticoHerm... welcome to the board!

Great topic, as I was going to ask a similar question. I will be taking my two sons( ages 17 and 15) to Quetico on June 19 for 7 days and I am a little bummed that we won't be able to have a fire in the evening and talking. There is just something about a fire to "spark" conversation.

B1lee: "Great topic, as I was going to ask a similar question. I will be taking my two sons( ages 17 and 15) to Quetico on June 19 for 7 days and I am a little bummed that we won't be able to have a fire in the evening and talking. There is just something about a fire to "spark" conversation. "

Your trip is far enough out that things could easily change. They are calling for significant rain between the 15th and 17th of June. As much as 30 mm on the 17th. They will likely lift the fire ban after that.

We often play cards under the tarp so that would be my go to, but this year makes me wish it was a bug shelter.
Cooking over a stove would be different, but you can plan meals around that.
Not being able to light a smoky fire to clear the bugs out would be my biggest concern so bring lots of cigars and other repellants.

Banksiana: "

arctic: "Very little difference. Cook on stove. Summer nights stay light so late that I end up in the tent shortly after the bugs emerge anyway. Fires take on more importance during the shoulder seasons anyway. "

My experience last week camping (and this week at home) is there is no period of emergence- the bugs are 24/7."

Yeah, I made a general statement from past experiences. I live in the North and the bugs are indeed bad 24/7 this year. So far.

If it stays dry the bugs will decrease rapidly.